childbirth recovery

Within a day of giving birth, I was filling out a postpartum depression screening form at the hospital. It asked how I was coping, if I was still seeing the bright side of things, and whether I was crying more or less than usual. It always strikes me as a little funny because I can't imagine postpartum depression hitting THAT quickly, but I do understand why they do it: it serves as a prescreen and a basis for comparison for future screens. Sure enough, at my four-week postpartum checkup, I was …Read More

This post was originally published on May 14, 2012, after the birth of my second. But after a recent chat with another mom about things no one tells you about labor and delivery — and after sharing part 1 recently --- we thought we’d share it again!
My friend is currently expecting her first child, due in August. (You can read about her pregnancy brain, or lack thereof, here.) And as I found myself going through labor, delivery and childbirth the second time, I kept making mental notes of …Read More

There are many lists available to help mamas pack for their hospital stay when it comes time to have that baby. As a mom-to-be, it can be a little overwhelming. You don't want to be under-prepared, but you also recognize that the entire house cannot come with you to the hospital. I've been asked a …Read More

One of the unfortunate and little-discussed side effects of pregnancy and childbirth is that the ol' bladder --- that rugged, steely organ you took for granted your whole life --- takes a bit of a beating. In those early days postpartum, you start to wonder if you'll ever get back your ability to …Read More

Of the questions we get asked, losing weight and getting those abs back postpartum are big ones. Today's Ask the FBMs takes the abs question a little farther, focusing specifically on C-sections. Reader Octavia wanted to know the best way to lose baby weight and get in shape after the surgery. …Read More